Mr. Mason was born Oct. 30, 1928, in Spokane, to Steve and Ana Murgic Masan. After his mother’s death, he lived in an orphanage. He attended North Central High School, while working full time at a railroad station. He enrolled at Washington State College, where he studied chemistry. He married Cecilia "Mitzi" Moe in 1949. After graduating from Washington State with a master's degree in chemistry, he attended the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland (now OHSU), graduating in 1955. After further training and service as an Army surgeon in Vietnam, Dr. Mason began practicing neurosurgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland in 1963, where he worked for 50 years. He retired two years ago.

He was preceded in death by his brother and sisters, John, Catherine and Helen; and daughter-in-law, Pamela Mason. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mitzi; children, Stephanie Berge (Brent), Beaverton, Michael Mason (Pamela), Portland and Gregory Mason (Katy), Tacoma; and three grandchildren.

There will be a memorial gathering at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at the Chapel of the Good Samaritan at the west end of the 3rd Floor of Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital. Memorial donations can be made to Central City Concern or Project Access NOW, charities which assist people who are in need of medical help.

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